Russia is presently facing significant challenges in Ukraine following its invasion of the country approximately 18 months ago. President Vladimir Putin has observed his previously esteemed military force being subject to ridicule. While his military encounters difficulties in the ongoing conflict, there are reports suggesting that he is continuing to work on the development of new weapons. Recently, the autocratic leader asserted that a test had been conducted on a novel nuclear armament.
On the 2nd of October, as per The New York Times, it was noted that Russia seemed to be preparing for a missile test. The publication stated that there were observable movements of military hardware within a Russian Arctic territory.
The report indicated that these preparations bore a resemblance to the ones seen in 2017 and 2018, during which Russia tested a missile identified as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall or the Burevestnik. Allegedly, U.S. surveillance aircraft monitored these activities in the Arctic region for a span of two weeks.
On the 5th of October, during his speech at the Valdai Discussion Club forum in Sochi, Putin revealed that his armed forces had conducted a triumphant test of the Burevestnik. This cruise missile is a recently developed armament, reportedly equipped with nuclear capabilities and nuclear propulsion. It is purportedly capable of covering vast distances to reach its intended target, spanning thousands of miles.
While it is claimed that the missile can remain in the air for an extended duration compared to other missile variants, experts argue that this extended flight time may render them less dependable.
The Russian president informed the audience that the military simply needs to address certain administrative and bureaucratic formalities before he can authorize large-scale production and deployment for combat purposes.
Since 1990, predating the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia has refrained from conducting nuclear tests involving actual explosions. However, there is now a growing apprehension that such tests might be resumed. Putin has left the door open to this possibility, citing the absence of U.S. ratification of treaties prohibiting nuclear tests while highlighting that Russia has already ratified them.
Moreover, Putin has issued a threat to withdraw his country’s ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, which forbids the nation from conducting any tests involving explosive detonations.
Experts caution that resuming nuclear testing, whether in the United States or Russia, could significantly disrupt global stability, particularly at a time when tensions are at their highest point in decades.
